Inker for printing faces



y 24, 1932- H. COMPTON INKER FOR PRINTING FACES Filed May '15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5 z) 7 8 7 o 7 m 0 O 0 Q o 2 .OJ/ 5 7 O 7 0O 2 F 4 I I I i l I l l I I I I l l l l q/ A 3 A F .30 WK 4 IL 8 4 Q Q Q A 6 5 2 y 1932- H. L. COMPTON 1,859,380

INKER FOR PRINTING FACES Filed May 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 GHQ/W242 16 7 ow May 24, 1932. H; L.- COMPTON INKER FOR PRINTING FACES Filed May 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 24, 1932. H. COMPTON 7 1,859,380

INKER FOR PRINTING FACES Filed May 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED s'rAss ATE T g E HARRY L. COMPTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO II-IE AMERICAN DAIRY SUPPLY COMPANY, OF AUGUSTA,

MAINE MAINE, A CORFORATION OF INKERFGR PRINTING FACES Application filed May 15,

This invention relates to inking mecha nisms, and particularly inking mechanisms for electrotypes, or other printing faces arranged to reciprocate in a right line direcr tion toward and from the sheet to be printed. The mechanism was developed primarily for use in printing data on milk bottle caps, but is available for a Wide variety of uses, for example, for use in printing certain data on the face of paper money.

A preferred embodiment of the machine for use in inking the dies in a printing machine forming a part of the mechanism for manufacturing milk bottle caps, is illustrat ed in the accompanying drawings,in which,

Fig. 1 is an end elevation with a portion of the guides and portions of the chains which carry the inking rolls, broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine h with the chain and'inking rolls removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-3 in Fi 2. a

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale. the )lane of section bein indicated b the line 4- 1 in Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, as in Fig. 2, the inking rolls and the chains which carry them, are omitted. V Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective showing one of the roll carrying lugs used onthe chain, and connected parts.

A portion of the bedplate of the machine is indicated at 6. This carries a platen 7 on which the sheet to be printed is supported.

- Mounted on the bedplate 6 are two upstanding frame members 8, provided at their upper ends with bearings 9 for the main shaft 11. The main shaft may be driven by any m suitable means, but, in the example illus- 49 trated, is a portion of the main driving shaft of the cap formingm'achine. In this way the operation of the printer is timed with respect to the other functions of the cap forming machine, that being a well known expedient in the art.

Bolted to the frame members 8 are brackets 12 and 13 which carry grooved cross-head guide members 14. The bracket members 12 and 13 are similar in function but are different-ly dimensioned. The printing die or elec- 1930. Serial No. 452,654..

The shaft 11 carries two eccentrics19, whose eccentr city and angular posit-ion on the shaft 11. are identical. Each is encircled by a corresponding strap 21, which by means of an ordinary'eccentric rod 22, is connected to a corresponding wrist pin 23 mounted in the head 17. Rotation of the shaft 11, therefore,

reciprocates the head 17 up and down, so that the electrotype or other printing face 15, moves toward and from the platen 7.

The construction just described was adopted to secure positive guiding of the head 17 at twowidely spaced points and a positive drive adjacent each guide, to the end that the parts shall move smoothly and positively even at relatively high reciprocatory speeds. Mounted in opposite ends of the reciprocating head 17 and adjacent the cross-heads 18,

are pairs of rods, theupper one of which is indicated at 24, and the lower one at 25 (see Fig. 1). These are locked in place by nuts 26 (see Fig. 3) and serve assupports for adjustable sustaining bearings 21'' for the sprocket shafts. Each bearing 27 has two sleeves 28 formed integrally with the bearing... One sleeve makes close sliding fit on the rod 24 and the other on the rod 25. The bearings are located in adjusted positions by means of the nuts 29. It follows that the bearings 27 are adjustable toward and from each other to permit alinement of the sprocket shafts and adjustment of chain tension, as will be hereafter explained.

Rotating in the bearings 27 are the hollow sprocket wheel shafts 31. The two shafts 31 are parallel with each other and each shaft carries between the bearings 27 two sprock- V brackets 51.

shown 'in Fig, 1. 1 When the parts are in are the two sprockets 33. The sprockets 32 are connected by an endless chain 48 and the sprockets 33 by an endless chain 49.

These chains carry the inking rollers. Journaled on each shaft 31, and in opposed thrust engagement with the hubs of the sprockets so as to be held against longitudinal motion, are two bearing members 35, which are Connected to a supporting member 36 havinga longitudinal dovetail guide 37 formed thereon. It will be understood that there are two members 36, one-supported by each of the shafts 31, and that the dovetail guides 37 on the two plates 36 are parallel with each other. Each guide member 37 serves to support a reciprocating link distributing member 38 which is, approximately semi-cylindrical in form. This is supported on the guide member 37 by means of the two slides 39 carried on the lugs or brackets 41 which are cast integrally with the ink distributor member 38.

At their extremities the ink distributor.

members 38 are formed with peripheral channels or recesses. These receive U-shaped track 1 members 42, that is tosa-y, track members which are semicircular with straightend exe tensions, the endextensions being parallel with each other, as clearly indicated in Fig. 4. The straight extensions of the two tracks 42 on one ink distributor 38 project toward and aline with similar extensions onthe other distributor 38. At their ends the tracks 42 interengage by means of tongues and slots, clearly shown at 43 in Fig.3. .The interengagement indicated at 43, holds the tracks in alinement and sustains the bearings 35 against rotation, yet permits adjustment of the shafts 31 toward and from each other.

The ink distributors 38 are reciprocated in directions parallel with the axes of the shafts 31 by means of two identicalcams 44,

one of which is associated with each ofthe sprockets 32. The cams 44 react against a follower roll 45 mounted on the correspond ing distributor 38. Each follower roll 45 is held against its cam 44 by means of a thrust spring 46 which reacts between one of the members 41- and a lug 47 mounted on the member 36. V

Each of the chains 48 and 49 carries four he brackets are identically spaced on the two chains and corresponding brackets on the two chains are connected by rods52. The brackets are spaced in pairs on "each chain so thatwhen one pair is at one limit of horizontal travel, the other is at the opposite limit of horizontal travel, as is best this position, the die 15 is in printing position, that is,at or; near its lowermost point. 7 a

Each bracket 51 carries hinged at 53 two arms 54. These are urged inward by coil springs 55. 'Each arm 54.is,formedat its outer end with a bearing for a shaft 56. The

transverse to the path of travel of the rollers 38, assists in distributing the ink.

It is understood that the sprockets 32 and v 33 are fast on the shafts 31, and one of the shafts 31 (the left hand one in Fig. 1)' is driven from the shaft 11.

The following drive trainis typical of those which might be used: I

The shaft 11 drives an auxiliary shaft 61 through asproclret chain 62. The drive ratio is one to one. Shaft 61 is mounted in bea fings, one of which appears at 63, and carries a bevel gear 64 which drives a similar bevel gear 65. swiveled in the bearing 67 supported by any suitable means and receives a squareshaft The shaft 68 is'fi'x'ed in the hub of a bevel gear 69 which is swiveled in ,a bearing 71. The bearing 71 is mounted on a bracket 72 which in turnis supported on a portion of one of the bearings 27.

As the bearings 27 reciprocate with the head 17 in a vertical direction, the sliding or splined engagementof the square shaft 68 With the hub of the bevel gear 65, permits the rotary drive tocontinue during the recip- The hub of the bevel gear 65 is.

rocation of the head. 17; The construction is (thelower one in Fig. 3 and theleft hand shaft in Fig. 1) The drive ratio of the gears.

64 and 65 and of the gears 69 and 7 3 is one to one, so that the shaft 11 and the shaft 31 V rotate in the same direction and at equal speeds. 7 From this it follows, that the head 17 will make one printing stroke for each rotation of the sprockets 32 and33. The proper timing of the rolls will be'secured if t .e travel from the position marked A to the position marked B on Fig. 1 corresponds to the pitch circumference of one of the sprockets (where the drive ratio is one to one), I s s It will be observed that the inking rollers 57 will pass over the printing face while'it is at or near its most elevated position, and will carry ink to the printing face. The creep of the rollers on the. surfaces 38 and the reciprocation of these surfaces insures an even distribution of ink- Ink may be. fed to the rollers 57 or to the distributing surfaces clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, and as the details are not important, minute descrip- 38, in any suitable manner, but the following arrangement is simple and satisfactory.

The doctor roller 74 is supported in bear ing brackets 75 carried by two of the bearing structures 27 (the right hand ones in Fig. 1). This doctor roller thus moves up and down with the cross-head 18 and at its lower limit of motion contacts an ink feeding roller mounted in an ink trough or reservoir 76. Its upper side is so positioned by the bearing bracket 75 that the inking rolls 57 strike the doctor roll 74 in passing. The ink feeding roller 80 is rotated by any suitable means. In order to illustrate such ameans, I show an arm 77 which is pivoted concentrically with the roller 80 and has a pawl 78 engaging a ratchet 79. The arm 77 is reciprocated through a short range by means of a roller 81, which strikes it as the cross-head 17 moves downward. The roller 81 is mounted on a bracket 82 supported on one of the bearing structures 27 (see Fig. 3).

As the cross-head 18 approaches its lower limit of motion, the roller 81 engages the lever 77 and shifts it through a small angle against the resistance of the spring 83. This rotates the ratchet 79 about one tooth. Upon upward motion of the cross-head 18, the spring 83 restores the lever-77 and the pawl 78 picks up the next tooth.

The construction above described has many advantages. The shafts 31 may be positioned V to secure accurate alinement and to secure proper tensioning of the sprocket chain. The sprocket chain is guided at all POlDlZSlll its travel by the engagement of the rollers 58 with the track members 4-2. This is an 1111- portant point, because of the very rapid vertical reciprocation of the head 17. The ink distributors 38 are very effective and the guiding and driving structure which theyreqmre, is simple to manufacture and maintain.

Vhat is claimed is 1. An inker for reciprocating printing faces, comprising in combination; a reciprocating carrier; a printing face mounted thereon; sprockets mounted coaxlally 1n pairs on said carrier; parallel endless chains running on said sprockets; inking rollers mounted on said chains and carried thereby across said printing face; a pair of ink distributors, each mounted between a corresponding pair of axially alined sprockets to reciprocate in the direction of the axis of the sprockets, each distributor having a cylindrical surface in contact with which said inking rolls pass; roll guiding extensions extending from one distributor to the other; means for reciprocating said distributors in unison; means for reciprocating said carrier and rotating said sprockets in timed relation; and means for supplying ink.

' 2. A device as defined in claim 1, in which the sprockets and the related ink distributors are adjustable toward and from each other,

and the roll guiding extensions on one distributor'have telescopic engagement with the roll guiding extensions on the other distributor.

3. An inker for reciprocating printing faces, comprising in combination; a reciprocating carrier; a printing face mounted thereon; sprockets mounted coaxially in pairs on said carrier; parallel endless chains running on said sprockets; inking roll units mounted on said chain and carried thereby across said printing face,each unit including an inking roll proper and end guiding rolls of slightly larger diameter fixed to the ink ing roll; a pair of ink distributors having substantially cylindrical faces, one distributor being mounted between each pair of axially alined sprockets to reciprocate in the direction of the axis thereof, said distributors engaging the inking roll; tracks for said guiding rolls which extendaround the ends of said distributors and have extensions bridging the interval between distributors, the said tracks being located radially inward from the distributing surfaces, and the guid' ing rollers engaging the tracks while the inking rollers engage the distributor surfaces; means for reciprocating said distributors in unison; means for reciprocating said carrier and rotating said-sprockets in timed relation;

and means for supplying ink.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, in which the sprockets and distributor surfaces are adjustable toward and from each other, and H in which said guiding track isconstructed as two interengaging sections capable "of'telescoplng to accommodate such .ad ustment.

5. The combination defined in claim 1, in which the ink supplying means comprises a doctor roller reciprocating with said carrier, and in position to contact said ink rollers, and an ink feeding rollerwith which said doctor roller contacts as it reciprocates with said carrier.

6. The combination defined in claim 3, in which the ink supplying means comprises a doctor roller reciprocating with said carrier, and in position to contact said ink rollers, and an ink feeding roller with which said doctor roller contacts as it reciprocates with said carrier. V

7 The combination as defined in claim 1, in which the means for supporting and guiding the ink distributors includes a longitudi rollers mounted on said chains and carried thereby across said printing face; at least one ink distributor having a cylindrical sur- 1 face and mounted between sprockets in position to ensure rolling engagement therewith by said rolls; a cam on one of said sprockets Y reacting u 3011 said distributor to reciprocate I the distri utor; means for rotating said sprockets; and means for supplying ink. 10. An inker for printing faces, comprising in combination; a carrier; a printing face mounted thereon; sprockets mounted coaxially in pairs on said carrier; parallelendless chains running on said sprockets; inking rollers mounted on said chains and carried thereby across said printing face; a pair of ink distributors, each mounted between a corresponding pair of axially alincd sprockets to reciprocate in the direction of the axis of the sprockets, each distributor having a cylindrical surface in contact with which said inkingrolls pass; roll-guiding extensions extending from one distributor to the other; means for reciprocating said distributors in unison; means for driving said sprockets; and means for supplying ink.

11. The combination defined in claim 10 further characterized in that the sprockets and the associated ink distributors are ad- 3 justable toward and from each other, and the roll-guiding extensions on the two distributors have sliding alinement-maintaining engagement with each other, V

12. The combination of claim 10 furthei 3 characterized in that the ink distributors are W carried by bearings swiveled on the-sprocket shafts, and that the distributors are main- 7 tained in proper relation with each other by said rollguiding extensions. 7 V 13. The combination of claim' 10 further characterized in that the means for distributing the distributors in unison comprise cams carried by the sprockets and reacting upon the distributors. $5 In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification;

' HARRY L. COMPTON.

,isis 

